She's So Dead to Us by Kieran Scott Read Free Book Online Page B

midpounce.
    “I have the sign-up sheet right here,” Trista said, holding up her clipboard. “The first thing we need to do is assign a player to each of you. Anyone have any special requests?”
    Instantly two-dozen hands shot into the air. Trista laughed. “Okay, let’s start at the top left. Name?”
    “Melissa Waner,” the brace-faced girl said. Her friends giggled.
    “Melissa Waner, sophomore.” Trista checked her off. “Who do you like?”
    “Jake Graydon,” Melissa said. More giggles. Much louder this time.
    “No way. Jake’s mine,” Shannen said.
    “But I wanted Jake!” Faith added with a pout. “There’s no way I’m getting stuck with someone with back hair. Oh God! Or backne!”
    “Please. Jake’s my best friend. I call him,” Shannen said.
    Was that true? Were Jake and Shannen best friends? Was she just BFF with whoever lived in that room? The thought made me smirk past a sudden slice of envy. But was I jealous of Jake because he got to hang with Shannen, or Shannen because she got to hang with Jake? I decided I didn’t want to think about it.
    “He’s my friend too.” Faith’s bottom lip jutted out even farther.
    “Wait a minute. I called him first,” Melissa Waner said bravely. “Jake’s mine.”
    I rolled my eyes and leaned back on my elbows, waiting for the shrieking and hair pulling to start.
    “All right, all right!” Trista shouted, holding up her hands. “I had a feeling something like this might happen, so I’ve come prepared.” She fished a plastic baggie with a bunch of pink paper scraps inside out of her backpack. “I’ve written each player’s name down on one piece of paper.”
    “We’re going to draw names from a hat?” Chloe asked.
    “Actually, we’re going to draw names from a bag,” Trista corrected. “Seniors first, then juniors, and so on. Everyone, please come down here and line up in class order.”
    They all jumped up like someone had just offered free manicures. I trudged down the bleachers after them and slid into line behind Chloe, who inched forward as if my B.O. were offending her. I felt an almost physical need to talk to her—to pull her aside and explain—but now was not the time.
    The three seniors picked their names, and it was now Faith’s turn. She chose Jeff Levitt, who was apparently backne free, because she gave an overly dramatic sigh of relief as she read his name.
    Shannen was up. She unfolded her paper. “Hammond Ross!” She turned around and handed the slip to Chloe, who took it happily and slipped from line.
    “Wait! No trading!” Trista said.
    “But Trista! It’s Hammond,” Chloe said, her green eyes wide.
    Trista’s brow knitted as she mentally debated whether to stick to her all-important rules or give Chloe what she wanted. “Okay, fine. Shannen can pick again.”
    Chloe, as always, won. And no one even batted an eyelash. Shannen reached into the bag again, unfolded her paper, and sighed.
    “Josh Schwartz.”
    “Oooh. The captain. Big responsibility,” Trista trilled.
    Shannen forced a smile but was clearly not happy. So much for David’s fantasy of having Shannen’s slaps all over his back.
    “And you are?” Trista asked as I stepped forward.
    “Nobody,” Faith said before I could answer, earning herself a few laughs. Shannen smirked. Chloe smoothed the front of her OHH polo shirt and looked away.
    “Ally Ryan,” I answered.
    Trista checked off my name. “Go ahead and pick.”
    I reached into the bag, repeating “David Drake” over and over and over again in my mind. The team roster had been posted that morning and David had celebrated like a maniac when he found his name under VARSITY STARTERS . If he couldn’t have Shannen, I had to believe I was the next best option. I unfolded my scrap of paper and my vision actually blurred.
    “Who is it?” Trista asked, her pen poised.
    I swallowed hard. “Jake Graydon.”
    Of course.
    There were disappointed groans throughout the crowd. A couple of